Auckland will have strong representation at the upcoming World Rugby Under 20 Championships with seven players selected in the New Zealand team.

Pakuranga’s Dalton Papali’i will attend his second World Championships in as many years, and is joined by Adrian Choat (Waitemata), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Suburbs), Jacob Pierce (Grammar TEC), JP Sauni (College Rifles), Samuel Slade (Ponsonby) and Caleb Clarke (Suburbs).

Adrian Choat was the inaugural recipient ofthe Royal Wolf Tertiary Scholarship in 2015.

New Zealand has won the annual tournament on five occasions, with their last victory in 2015. 

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott said it was a difficult task to whittle the squad down to the 28 players that will go to Georgia. 

“All 32 players we took on the successful Oceania Tournament campaign last week put their hands up for World Championship selection, and all merited the opportunity to wear the black jersey in Georgia. We had to make some tough calls and no doubt there will be some disappointed players. 

“At the World Championship we are focusing one game at a time and not getting ahead of ourselves. The nature of the draw means we need to ensure we come out top of our pool to guarantee a place in the play offs, and with games against Scotland, Italy and Ireland that is no small task.

The New Zealand Under 20 team assembles in Mount Maunganui later this week and travels to Georgia on 24 May. Their pool matches are against Scotland on the 31 May, Italy on 4 June and Ireland on 8 June.

The team is
Asafo Aumua - Wellington 
Sam Caird – Waikato
Adrian Choat - Auckland 
Tom Christie - Canterbury 
Ryan Coxon - Waikato 
Tim Farrell - Hawke’s Bay
Alex Fidow – Wellington
Luke Jacobson (C) – Waikato
Ezekiel Lindenmuth - Auckland 
Marino Mikaele-Tuu - Hawke’s Bay
Dalton Papalii - Auckland 
Jacob Pierce - Auckland 
John (JP) Sauni - Auckland 
Samuel Slade – Auckland
Pouri Rakete-Stones - Hawke’s Bay
Isaia Walker-Leawere - Wellington
Caleb Clarke - Auckland 
Ereatara Enari (VC)- Canterbury 
Braydon Ennor - Canterbury 
Tima Faingaanuku - Tasman 
Tiaan Falcon - Hawke’s Bay
Will Jordan – Tasman
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara - Wellington 
Orbyn Leger - Counties Manukau
Josh McKay - Canterbury 
Jona Nareki - Otago 
Tamati Tua – Northland
Thomas Umaga-Jensen - Wellington